Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam will organise year-long programmes to mark the birth centenary of Malayalam film actor Prem Nazir, including screenings of five of his films at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in December, Cultural Affairs Minister P C Vishnunadh said on Monday.
Prem Nazir remains an influential figure in Malayalam cinema, having acted in around 900 films during his career.
Replying to a submission by MLA Remya Haridas in the Assembly, the minister said a grand celebration would be held on April 7, 2027, at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the centenary.
The IFFK, scheduled from December 11 to 18, will feature five films starring Nazir in a special section titled 'Nazir Smriti', he said.
The government has held preliminary discussions with the Prem Nazir Foundation and film industry organisations, including Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) and the producers' and distributors' associations, to organise the centenary programmes, the minister said.
Leading actors, including Mammootty, Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi, have agreed to participate in the celebrations on April 7, 2027, in the presence of the chief minister, ministers and legislators, he said.
The government is also proceeding with the construction of the Prem Nazir Memorial Cultural Centre at Chirayinkeezhu, the actor's birthplace. The first phase of construction has been completed, and initial steps for the second phase have begun.
The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy has been entrusted with the administration, maintenance and preservation of the memorial complex, he said.
A museum at the complex will showcase Nazir's contributions to Malayalam cinema through photographs, film posters, location stills, audio-visual recordings and other rare memorabilia. It will also feature installations highlighting his performances and songs.
The minister said Nazir's films would be digitally remastered in 4K quality to preserve them and make them accessible to future generations.
A biography of the actor, prepared under the leadership of the Chalachitra Academy, is scheduled for release in 2027.
A film club named after Nazir will also be established at the complex, with weekly screenings of classic films at its mini-theatre to introduce younger audiences to cinema history, he added.